Sunday, 22 March 2015

The Ukrainian Festival Of Malanka

One night every year, Ukrainian villagers dress up as bears, goblins
and other characters, and parade in the streets singing traditional
songs. According to Spiegel Online, revelers go from house to house playing pranks and telling stories.
The festival is held on Jan. 14, New Year's Eve in the Orthodox Christian calendar, and officially marks the feast day of St. Melanie.
But the festivities encompass many local traditions, including the
character of Malanka, a fertility goddess from ancient Ukrainian
folklore.